Girl In The Mirror

Chapter 2 - Coming Home

The party was in full swing. As expected, Huang Li wasn't stingy when it came to serving alcohol. Ren hadn't arrived yet, and as she had already announced, Xen Lou wasn't there either. Rather, Yixing had read Ren's messages during the day that he was already out and about in town with his beloved to get the present for his little sister. That, according to Yixing, was also the reason why he still hadn't shown up, even though his uni was long over for the day. 

As soon as Yixing arrived, Huang Li gave him a beer and took him to meet a girl. However, since Yixing currently had little interest in getting closer to a woman, he quickly brushed her off. Huang Li himself wore a Santa hat and danced around the room more than he walked. The music blared loudly from speakers placed in the corners of the room and the mood was extremely boisterous.

"Are these all friends of yours?" Yixing asked, taking advantage of a moment while his best friend pranced past him.

"Well… most of them. But some brought an accompaniment. I don't know all of them either," he laughed.

"Is that okay?" Yixing asked, raising an eyebrow. Huang Li then winked at him and took another long sip of the beer he was holding.

After a while, Yixing was nudged hard and he turned around, somewhat horrified. 

"Hi," said Ren, who had now obviously arrived as well. 

"Hey," Yixing replied and the two hugged briefly. 

"So, what's it like?" asked Ren, but could already guess the answer by looking at Yixing's face. It just wasn't his style to let his hair down at parties. 

"Better now that you're here," Yixing said, and the two of them looked for a corner where they could talk without having to outright yell at each other to drown out the music. 

"Where is Huang Li?" asked Ren now, looking around. But he didn't seem to be in the room. 

"I don't know. But I don't feel like looking for him either. He seems to be trying to set me up.", Yixing explained. 

"Again?" laughed Ren. Huang Li had actually tried this a few times since breaking up with Yixing and his ex-girlfriend, even though Yixing had repeatedly assured him that he wasn't interested. 

"Yes. I was able to get rid of her quickly, though, fortunately," Yixing said, laughing. The two clinked glasses and watched some of the drunken guests. 

"Was she cute at least?" asked Ren, laughing. 

"Yes, a pretty girl. But the moment just doesn't fit," Yixing said, sipping his drink. "Dating a girl out of frustration just wouldn't be right."

"That's true, yes." said Ren, his eyes tracking a staggering guest, hoping that at any moment he wouldn't collide with the large palm plant that stood next to the spacious door. But he was lucky. Just before the collision, he regained his balance, stopped in front of the tree and, spreading his beer on the floor, strolled on. 

"Fortunately, I don't have to clean here," Ren remarked quietly, grinning. 

"In that case, I'll tell Huang Li that you're volunteering for cleaning duty tomorrow morning," Yixing laughed.

"You don't think he'll come around before 2 p.m.," Ren countered, to which Yixing agreed with a grin. "How did it go with Xen Lou today?"

Ren's ears took on a distinct pink. He coughed and took a far too large sip from his glass, which he choked on. Yixing raised his eyebrows, "You're supposed to drink that, not inhale it."

Ren grinned briefly, "It was... nice."

"Tell me more"

"There's nothing to tell."